200 Top Turtle Names for Your Hard-Shelled Buddy
By
Updated
Apr. 30, 2025
Photo by Chewy Studios
Congratulations on your new pet turtle! Now that you’ve brought your hard-shelled bestie home, your first duty as their parent is choosing a perfect name—one that’ll serve them well throughout their long life. You’ll find plenty of inspiration in this list of 200 turtle names that are as cute, funny and unique as your new pet. Whether you’re looking for sweet or snappy, these names are turtley awesome.
What are the most popular turtle names? These names rank among the most common amongst pet parents in the Chewy community.
| Top Turtle Names | |
|---|---|
| Squirt | The name of the baby sea turtle in “Finding Nemo.” |
| Shelly | A shell reference and a lovely girl’s name all in one! |
| Franklin | Franklin is the adorable star of the “Franklin the Turtle” children’s books and animated series. |
| Crush | With his California surfer accent and laid-back ways, Crush the sea turtle was a fan favorite in “Finding Nemo.” |
| Squirtle | The adorable Pokémon species has big saucer eyes and squeezable chubby cheeks. |
| Sheldon | A shell-shockingly good turtle name, made famous on “The Big Bang Theory.” |
| Leo | Leonardo (aka Leo) is the sword-fighting leader of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. |
| Mikey | Cowabunga! As the Ninja Turtles’ resident goofball, Michelangelo (or Mikey) is a turrrific choice. |
| Speedy | An ironic name for most turtles, who are known for their “slow and steady” pace. |
| Myrtle | For a playful rhyme, Myrtle is sublime. |
Find the perfect pick for your girl turtle with these feminine names.
| Girl Turtle Names | |
|---|---|
| Arcadia | Throughout time, turtles have been celebrated as symbols of peace and tranquility. Arcadia is a Greek name meaning “peace and contentment.” |
| Ari | Ari Atoll is an island in the Maldives known for its sea turtles. |
| Ariel | Thanks to “The Little Mermaid,” this name will always have “under the sea” swagger. |
| Beryl | This throwback girl’s name with Greek origins is a reference to the light green mineral. |
| Briar | This nature-inspired girl’s name has a sweet and wild sensibility. |
| Chartreuse | The French girl’s name is also the name of a light yellow-green color. |
| Constance | Meaning “steadfastness,” this old-school Latin name is perfect for slow-and-steady turtles. |
| Coraline | Six of the world’s seven species of sea turtles live in the waters around Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. With a nod to sea coral, this pretty name is a fun way to honor your pet’s wild relatives. |
| Costa | Meaning “coast” in Spanish, Costa is a short and sweet marine moniker. |
| Doris | In Greek mythology, Doris was a sea nymph; today, her name means “gift.” |
| Elphaba | Like turtles, Elphaba (aka The Wicked Witch of the West) has green-hued skin. |
| Emerald | The gemstone is famous for its bright, saturated green color. |
| Esmeralda | Looking for something a little fancier? This Spanish girl’s name means “emerald.” |
| Fern | Of Old English origin, Fern calls to mind the shade-loving greenery. |
| Frida | Meaning “peace,” Frida nods to the turtle’s gentle nature. As a reference to Frida Kahlo, it can also be fun for painted turtles, which are known for their ornate shell markings. |
| Giada | A classic Italian girl’s name meaning “jade.” |
| Halimah | This Arabic name means “gentle” or “mild-mannered.” |
| Hana | A remote area of Maui, which is famous for its sea turtles. |
| Hisako | Some species of turtles have long life spans. In fact, the oldest known living land animal is a giant tortoise named Jonathan, who was born in 1832. For a female turtle, consider the Japanese name Hisako, which means “longevity.” |
| Idona | Another age-related option, this Scandinavian name means “renewal and immortality.” |
| Isla | The elegant girl’s name of Spanish origin means “island.” |
| Ivy | A classic girl’s name calling to mind gardens and greenery. |
| Jade | Although it can be a number of colors, the mineral is prized in its green varieties. |
| Jemima | A biblical name meaning “dove,” the peaceful connotations of Jemima make it prime for turtles, too. |
| Juniper | The girl’s name is also the name of a berry-bearing bush and a shade of bluish green. |
| Kai | Kai is a name with international turtle power. In Hawaiian it means “sea” and in Japanese it means “shell.” |
| Kailani | Hawaii is famous for its sunbathing green sea turtles, the only species of sea turtle that regularly comes ashore. For an island-inspired name, consider Kailani, which means “sea and sky.” |
| Kaimana | This strong Hawaiian name means “power of the sea.” |
| Kelly | Commonly associated with St. Patrick’s Day, Kelly green is a bright, vivid shade of green. |
| Lana | A lovely little name meaning “calm as still waters” in Hawaiian. |
| Malina | A Hawaiian girl’s name meaning “peace.” |
| Mandana | Of Persian origin, Mandana means “everlasting.” |
| Margarita | This traditional girl’s name is also the name of a green cocktail. For short, try Margie! |
| Matcha | The trendy green tea has a turtle-like tinge. |
| Midori | Cheers to this Japanese girl’s name, which is also the name of a bright green liqueur. |
| Minerva | Across cultures and time, turtles have been symbols of wisdom. As the Roman goddess of wisdom, Minerva is a fitting namesake. |
| Mira | This girl’s name means both “peace” and “ocean,” making it perfect for turtles. |
| Moana | The Disney heroine has a special relationship with the ocean and its wildlife. At the beginning of the titular movie, Moana protects a baby sea turtle. |
| Morla | In “The Neverending Story,” Morla (also known as The Ancient One) is a giant turtle considered to be the wisest being in Fantastica. |
| Olivia | A reference to both color and temperament, Olivia is a girl’s name meaning “olive tree,” which is considered a symbol of peace. |
| Ondine | The name of a mythological water nymph, it also means “little wave.” |
| Orna | An Irish name meaning “little pale green one.” |
| Paloma | This girl’s name is also the Spanish word for “dove,” another traditional symbol of peace. |
| Patience | If “The Tortoise and the Hare” is to be believed, turtles are patient creatures (even when faced with show-off hares). |
| Paz | Of Hebrew and Spanish origin, this girl’s name means “peace.” |
| Ramona | A Spanish name meaning “wise protector.” |
| Sabira | An Arabic name, Sabira is associated with patience and endurance. |
| Sage | Sage references both the grey-green color and wisdom. |
| Serena | A twist on “serene,” Serena means “peaceful and quiet.” |
| Shelby | With “shell” right there in the name, Shelby is a punny choice. |
| Shelley | Shelley was a mild-mannered turtle Muppet on “Sesame Street” in the 1980s and ’90s. |
| Shiloh | A time-tested Hebrew name meaning “tranquil.” |
| Sisu | Sisu is a Finnish concept that roughly translates into “enduring perseverance in the face of adversity.” As ancient creatures with humble homes, we think turtles can relate. |
| Sylvia | Of Latin origin, this girl’s name means “from the forest.” |
| Tatum | For an alliterative name, consider Tatum Turtle. |
| Teagan | Like Tatum, Teagan Turtle has a playful ring to it. |
| Umi | In Japanese, Umi means “ocean.” |
| Verna | Of Latin origin, meaning “spring green.” |
| Winifred | Of Welsh origin, Winifred means “peacekeeping.” For a more casual nickname, try Winnie! |
Find the best name for your new turtle bro on this list.
| Boy Turtle Names | |
|---|---|
| Alden | An Old English name meaning “wise old friend.” |
| Alderman | In Beatrix Potter’s “The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher,” Alderman Ptolemy Tortoise is a turtle with a fondness for salad. |
| Aspen | This trendy gender-neutral name is also the common name for certain species of forest trees, as well as a shade of light green. |
| Akumal | Meaning “place of the turtle” in Mayan, Akumal is a Mexican beach town famous for its sea turtles. |
| Akupara | In Hindu mythology, the giant turtle that supports the earth is known as Akupara. |
| Axel | A Scandinavian name with rock-and-roll vibes, Axel means “father of peace.” |
| Basil | The British boy’s name calls to mind the green herb. |
| Bertie | Bertie, a leopard tortoise, currently holds the Guinness World Record for World’s Fastest Tortoise. |
| Caspian | The Caspian turtle is native to the eastern Mediterranean region. |
| Cecil | In “Looney Tunes,” Cecil is a turtle who outsmarts Bugs Bunny. |
| Celadon | Sometimes used as a boy’s name, Celadon is soft, grayish shade of green. |
| Conrad | A German name related to wisdom. |
| Dante | This long-lived Latin name means “everlasting.” |
| Darwin | A wink to Charles Darwin, whose work with tortoises on the Galapagos Islands inspired his evolutionary theory. |
| Denver | A pastoral Old English name meaning “green valley.” |
| Donatello | As “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” fans know, Donatello is the smartest hero in a half-shell. |
| Dylan | A Welsh name meaning “son of the sea.” |
| Fastitocalon | J. R. R. Tolkien’s poem “Fastitocalon” is about a mythical turtle fish. |
| Filburt | In “Rocko’s Modern Life,” Filburt Shellbach is a pessimistic (but nonetheless beloved) turtle. |
| Fillmore | In the celebrated comic strip “Sherman’s Lagoon,” Fillmore is the resident nerdy sea turtle. |
| Frederick | An English form of a Germanic name meaning “peaceful ruler.” |
| Galapagos | Native to the Galapagos Islands, Galapagos tortoises are the largest living species of tortoise. |
| Honu | In Hawaiian culture, sea turtles—known as Honu—are sacred beings and symbols of good luck, protection and longevity. |
| Hunter | The boy’s name is also a shade of dark green. |
| Irving | A Scottish name meaning “green river” or “sea friend.” (For a nickname, Irv the Turtle is cute as can be!) |
| Jonah | Meaning “dove,” this peaceful Hebrew name also has connections to the sea via the prophet Jonah, who was swallowed by a whale. |
| Keanu | Made famous by actor Keanu Reeves, this laidback Hawaiian name means “the breeze.” |
| Kurma | Meaning “tortoise” in Sanskrit, Kurma is an incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu. |
| Mack | Mack is an opinionated turtle in the Dr. Seuss classic “Yertle the Turtle.” |
| Marlin | A Welsh name meaning “near the lake,” Marlin can also be an ironic turtle choice—the blue marlin is one of the fastest fish in the ocean. |
| Maturin | In Stephen King’s “The Dark Tower” series, Maturin is an ancient, otherworldly turtle. |
| Moray | A Scottish boy’s name meaning “sea.” |
| Murphy | This Irish name, derived from the Gaelic, means “sea warrior,” making it perfect for pets with built-in armor. |
| Oliver | A Latin name meaning “olive tree,” Oliver has peaceful roots and an adorable nickname (Ollie!) |
| Oran | An Irish name thought to mean “little pale green one.” |
| Orwell | An English and Scottish name meaning “branch of the river.” |
| Oscar | Inspired by the beloved grumpy green Muppet, Oscar the Grouch. |
| Paxton | This unisex name means “peace town.” |
| Picasso | For painted turtle species, consider a nod to artist and animal lover Pablo Picasso. |
| Raphael | The rebellious Ninja Turtle is known for his acrobatics and sarcastic sense of humor. |
| Ridley | This sophisticated English name is also the name of a type of sea turtle. |
| Reef | Although an unusual choice for babies, this English boy’s name is perfectly suited for turtles. |
| Sipadan | The Malaysian island is famous for its green and hawksbill sea turtles. |
| Tahoe | The lake, which straddles California and Nevada, has a trendy, outdoorsy ring to it. |
| Testudo | The University of Maryland’s official mascot is Testudo, a diamondback terrapin. |
| Thanos | Thanos is an ancient Greek name meaning immortal. Today, the name is mostly associated with the Marvel Cinematic Universe, where Thanos is a powerful, long-lived villain. |
| Toby | In Disney’s animated “Robin Hood,” Toby is a shy, bespectacled turtle. |
| Tokka | For a more obscure “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” reference, consider Tokka, a mutant alligator snapping turtle and minion of Shredder. |
| Triton | In Greek mythology, Triton was a merman and demigod of the sea. |
| Verne | In the animated film “Over the Hedge,” Verne is loving and selfless box turtle. |
| Vardon | A French boy’s name meaning “green knoll.” |
| Wade | An English boy’s name perfectly suited for swimmers. |
| Zale | A Greek name meaning “sea strength.” |
Is your new pet epically adorable? Consider these cute turtle names to match their precious vibe.
| Cute Turtle Names | |
|---|---|
| Alfie | This adorable name comes courtesy of children’s author Roald Dahl, whose book “Esio Trot” features a small tortoise named Alfie. |
| Apple | Actress Gwyneth Paltrow chose this cute name for her daughter. Assuming it’s Granny Smith-inspired, it’s also perfect for a green turtle! |
| Avocado | The fan-favorite veggie has a signature green color. |
| Bubbles | A perky name for your bubble-blowing bestie. |
| Edamame | Fun to say and fun to eat, this soybean snack gets the green light. |
| Flips | Only sea turtles have true flippers, but this cute name works for any species. |
| Guacamole | If Avocado is a little too plain for your pal, consider the spicier Guacamole. |
| Honeydew | The light green melon has a sweet name to match its sweet taste. |
| Jolly | If your turtle is on the larger side, the Jolly Green Giant might be an oversize fit. |
| Kermit | Kermie’s a frog, but we think he’d be happy to lend his name to a fellow green pond dweller. |
| Kiwi | A cheery green fruit—and cute to boot! |
| Lucky | Many cultures view turtles as symbols of good luck. |
| M&M | Like the candy, turtles have hard outer shells and sweet spirits. |
| Nibbles | One of the cutest things about turtles? Their teeny-tiny nibbles! |
| Nixie | The nixie is a mischievous water spirit. |
| Nugget | An itty-bitty cutie for itty-bitty cuties. |
| Peek-a-Boo | A turtle’s flexible neck provides protection from predators, allowing it to retract safely into its sturdy shell. Of course, the unique feature is also fun for a game of peek-a-boo. |
| Pickle | Sweet or spicy, Pickle is turtle-approved. |
| Pistachio | Small, green and nutty, Pistachio is perfect for turtles with a silly side. |
| Pokey | “Poke” a little fun at your slow-moving friend with this endearing name. |
| Pop-Tart | Is there anything cuter than a turtle head pop? |
| Poppy | This cheery girl’s name has plenty of turtle appeal. |
| Puddles | An aquatic-inspired cutie for water-loving friends. |
| Saffi | A cutie-pie Greek name meaning “wisdom.” |
| Sandy | A classic girl’s name, Sandy is also a cute reference to the beach. |
| Scooter | A precious pick for little waddlers. |
| Shamrock | Add some color commentary with this lucky name. |
| Shelbow | In “The Little Mermaid,” Shelbow is a goofy sea turtle who plays drums in The Catfish Club Band. |
| Soleil | The French word for “sun,” Soleil is a sweet way to reference your turtle’s fondness for sunbathing. |
| Splash | For turtles who like to splish-splash while they take a bath. |
| Sprout | Adorable and green, just like turtles. |
| Sunny | An optimistic name for sweet sun worshippers. |
| Tammy | Some names are just plain fun to say. Case in point: Tammy Turtle! |
| Tank | In “My Little Pony,” Tank is Rainbow Dash’s sweet pet tortoise. |
| Tilly | Get ready to awww! Tilly the Turtle is as cute as they come. |
| Tommy | Like Tilly, Tommy is tailor-made for terrapins. |
| Tuck | On Nickelodeon’s “Wonder Pets!” series, Tuck was the loveable, hug-obsessed young turtle. |
| Waddles | Although graceful in water, turtles have an endearingly awkward waddle on land. |
| Wobbles | For Waddles’ sillier, clumsier brother. |
| Yertle | Created by Dr. Seuss, Yertle the Turtle is a magnificent moniker. |
| Yoda | As “The Mandalorian” has proved, Baby Yoda is the cutest creature in the universe. |
| Zippy | If you were a Beanie Babies collector, you’ll recognize Zippy as the name of the cuddly turtle. |
Give your turtle one of these names, and you’ll also give yourself the giggles every time you address them.
| Funny Turtle Names | |
|---|---|
| Achilles | When it comes to funny turtle names, speed (or lack thereof) is always good for a giggle. In Greek mythology, Achilles was a warrior known for his swiftness. |
| Aristurtle | For a playful name with plenty of wisdom, consider this punny play on the famous philosopher. |
| Bolt | In honor of sprinting superstar Usain Bolt. |
| Bowser | Although it sounds like a dog’s name, Bowser is a turtle-like creature in Nintendo’s “Mario” franchise. When you want to switch things up, Bowser’s alias, King Koopa, is an equally hilarious name for a turtle. |
| Broccoli | Even if you don’t like eating it, Broccoli is a fun name for a turtle. |
| Cheetah | Cheetahs are the world’s fastest land animals, making this an ironically funny name for your turtle. |
| Comet | Although a common name for dogs, Comet is unexpected for turtles (considering comets can streak through the sky at thousands of miles per hour!) |
| Cruiser | This slow-and-steady name is perfect for pets who aren’t in a rush. |
| Ferrari | Famous for its speed and flashiness, the luxury sports car could learn a few things from the humble turtle. |
| Fiona | As “Shrek” fans know, Princess Fiona turns green after the sun sets. |
| Flash | The DC Comics superhero is the fastest man alive—another ironic name for your not-so-speedy buddy. |
| Gallop | Gallop is the ironically named turtle in the children’s series “Babar and the Adventures of Badou.” |
| Godzilla | Naming your pet after a nuclear-powered prehistoric sea monster is always a good idea. |
| Grand Master Oogway | In “Kung Fu Panda,” Grand Master Oogway is a wise, elderly tortoise and creator of kung fu. |
| Grinch | Remember, this greenie isn’t a meanie! The Grinch is simply misunderstood. |
| Gumby | A retro reference to the green Claymation character. |
| Hermes | With his signature winged sandals, Hermes was able to fly like the wind, according to Greek mythology. |
| Houdini | Houdini didn’t have a turtle shell to hide in—but the master illusionist did famously make an elephant “disappear” from the stage. |
| Hulk | The green-skinned superhero is a comically large namesake. |
| Indy | This cute name winks to the Indianapolis 500. |
| Jet | Another ironically fast name. (We’re truly sorry about all the slow jokes, turtle friends. We’re laughing with you, not at you!) |
| Kale | A favorite snack among turtles, Kale also makes for a fun and silly name. |
| Lenny Turteltaub | On “BoJack Horseman,” Lenny Turteltaub is a business-minded Hollywood producer who wears an unconvincing toupee. |
| Lightning | As in “lightning fast,” which your turtle is decidedly not. |
| Mary Shelley | For a punny literary reference, “Frankenstein” author Mary Shelley has a turtle-ready surname. |
| Michael Phelps | Or perhaps it should be Michael Shellps? |
| Mike Wazowski | The “Monsters, Inc.” jokester has a lime green hue. |
| Mock Turtle | In “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” the Mock Turtle is a turtle-like mixture of creatures. As a lover of puns, Lewis Carroll named him after mock turtle soup, a popular dish in Victorian England (which did not, incidentally, contain turtle). |
| Molasses | Sweet as sugar and slow moving, just like your pet. |
| Mustang | Unlike the cars and horses, Mustang the Turtle won’t be known for his speed. |
| Neptune | As the powerful and vengeful sea god of Roman mythology, Neptune is a funny choice for low-key creatures. |
| Nessie | The Loch Ness Monster probably isn’t a turtle, but Nessie is a fun name for any pond dweller. |
| Ninja | Clunky and slow-moving, there’s not very much ninja-like about turtles (with the exception of a few teenage mutants, of course). |
| Nitro | When you mention your pet Nitro, no one will suspect a turtle. |
| Poseidon | Similar to his Roman counterpart Neptune, Greek god Poseidon is a powerful, ill-tempered, earthquake-causing sea king. |
| Rocky Balboa | In the film “Rocky,” Sylvester Stallone’s title character has two pet turtles, Cuff and Link. |
| Salad | Your turtle will like this cute name so much, he might eat it right up. |
| Shrek | The green-skinned ogre takes a little warming up to, but he’s a sweetheart to share a name with. |
| Slimer | The “Ghostbusters” slimy ghost is famous for his eerie green glow. |
| Sloth | Known for taking their time, sloths are kindred turtle spirits. |
| Snappy | Snappy the turtle will never “make it snappy.” |
| Sonic | More appropriate for an energetic hedgehog, but funny for a pokey turtle. |
| Stretch | Some scientists believe that turtles’ stretchy necks evolved as a way to quickly snatch prey. |
| Superman | For the pet that’s definitely not faster than a speeding bullet. |
| Tardy | On quirky puppet show “Greg the Bunny,” Tardy is the name of a perpetually late turtle. |
| Taylor (Not So) Swift | Taylor Swift may be a loud and proud cat lady, but her last name lends itself ironically well to turtles. |
| Tucker | This English name is also a funny allusion to turtles’ necks. |
| Turbo | A supercharged name for a super laidback pet. |
| Zoom | Want to be the office hero? Bring Zoom the Turtle on your next Zoom call. |
Equal parts shy and majestic, turtles have been admired throughout the ages and across the globe. If you’re lucky enough to call one your friend, make sure you pick a name deserving of such an awww-inspiring creature!
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